What Would Love Do?

Say, someone cuts you off in traffic.

When that happens to me, my immediate, gut response is: &^@_#%&#&*# !!!

Depending on the level of danger, I may or may not lay on the horn.

I could do better.

What if instead, I blessed them?

That's a question Rev. Dr. Larry King asked us on Sunday, closing out our June theme, Higher Deeper Love, with Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong.

He opened with a story about an albatross — the world's oldest known banded wild bird. ("Banded" means researchers fit a numbered leg tag so they can track and identify the same bird year after year — it's how we know this particular albatross, Wisdom, is in her late 60s and still flying.)

Albatross (they look a little like giant seagulls!)

Albatrosses mate for life and fly thousands of miles a year, and the young ones don't touch land again for three to five years after they first take flight. (You can watch their courtship dance here!)

Rev. Larry also shared a little about his 18 years with his husband, Daniel. I won't retell it all, but to hear how his relationship with Daniel connects to the story, you can watch or listen here.

Looking back, we've had a whole month to talk about love, culminating in Pride Day this last Sunday.

Higher, Deeper Love

Rev. Michael Auch opened June by reminding us of Fred, a fish on a lifelong search for water, with no idea he was already swimming in it. That's love in metaphysical terms; we don’t have to find it. We're already in it. (Rev. Don Beatty introduced us to Fred in April.)

Rev. Liz Mirante showed us how love isn't conditional, and it isn't passive. Plant your flag. Be a living testament to what you say you believe.

Rev. Jim Boone took it further: love doesn't mean conflict disappears. It means reaching for the better response on the days you'd rather not.

And Sunday, Rev. Larry brought it home with instinctual love, human love, and divine love — the kind that doesn't keep score.

Instinctual Love, Human Love, Divine Love

Rev. Larry named three kinds of love. Instinctual, like the albatross returning to the same mate, by instinct, not choice. Human love, the messy, complicated kind that has opinions about how someone loads a dishwasher, or leaves dishes on the counter — and which, with work, can become unconditional. And divine love, which doesn't keep score about dishes, or anything else.

He told a story about dating Daniel early on and discovering Daniel's idea of a tidy apartment wasn't his. He had to ask himself: was that a real standard, or just a preference? Could he love this man's whole self, mess included, without expecting him to change?

That's our work. Asking the hard questions, becoming self-aware, knowing what matters most, and then letting the rest go without keeping tabs.

The Silent Loving Witness

When Rev. Larry talked about being a silent loving witness to someone's trouble, and how that can be more powerful than wading in with advice, I got that. He pointed out something most of us already know but rarely say: how often does advice from the people closest to us hit a nerve, while the same advice from a stranger, or even the internet, is totally fine?

I think about the people in my life who got this right — mostly friends. They don't try to fix anything, they just listen. I know when I'm in that place, and I want to fix something for someone who's hurting, it's hard to just be. It's not easy work. And that's likely an understatement. (If you haven't read Holding Space by Amy Wright Glenn, check it out.)

What Would Love Do?

Then Rev. Larry asked us to play a game. He handed out scenarios: your best friend bought the same sweater and looks better in it, a small child says something about your weight in the grocery line, your spouse forgot your birthday. We asked in unison: What would love do?

Our answers were awesome: Tell your friend she looks great. Kneel down and agree with the kid instead of getting defensive. Forgive the birthday, and make plans in advance next year so it never happens again. Rev. Larry called us "a bunch of enlightened people." Love that for us.

My work? I'll continue to work with the one about being cut off. Bless them. It's not the first time I'm reminded that this is the better response. We all have stories and I don't know theirs. And, holding onto that kind of energy doesn't serve me or anyone else, so blessing them is a benefit, too.

The Week Ahead

Rev. Larry's homework: the next time someone ruffles your feathers, before you decide to be right, ask the question instead. What would love do?

It's classic Landmark Education, too (IYKYK): do you want to be right, or do you want the relationship? The overlap between our teaching and the work I did through Landmark (oh so long ago) always surprises me a little.

So that's June. Let's all remember we're swimming in love. Choose it. Be it. Reach for the better tool. And when someone cuts you off — bless them, and mean it.

Core Council Update: June 23, 2026

A quick recap from our last Core Council meeting.

The phishing expedition continues, and we've received reports that some on our mailing list continue to be targeted. Please report these - to us and to your service provider. We're reporting it to the appropriate authorities and alerted our full Mailchimp list. If something looks off in your inbox, trust that instinct and reach out to admin@cslballard.org.

Finances and fund development: We're halfway toward our pledge goal, which is 50% of our annual budget — so we have a way to go, though we're making good progress. Our fund development goal is also on target. A Hefferlin Foundation grant application is in progress for fall.

Sunday programming is mapped through September. A community meeting is set for July 26th, covering financial updates, Council functions, and small group breakouts. A membership meeting will be scheduled for August for anyone curious about membership — stay tuned.

Behind the scenes: If you notice videographer Andrew isn't with us for a while, he landed an awesome gig out of state and is heading south for seven weeks. Lukas Untersteiner and John Nelson will cover Sunday in his absence. The Senior Minister Selection process continues, with applications due this summer.

One last thing: We're looking for volunteers for our annual picnic on July 19. Watch the website for a sign-up link. Since the potlucks are taking a summer hiatus, we'd also welcome a volunteer to make coffee in the morning before service. You can email me and I'll share with the right person.

Questions or ideas for the Council? Reach out anytime at corecouncil@cslballard.org.

With gratitude,

Laura